Issued at 4:00 PM CDT, Friday, March 30th, 2012
- Patchy fog continues Tonight
- A few showers possible along with milder temperatures on Saturday
- Shower chances continue for Sunday and Monday
Snowfall report for Thursday, March 29th, 2012
Source: National Weather Service Duluth, Minnesota
Kabetogama, MN (St. Louis County) 4.7″
International Falls, MN (Koochiching County) 4.5″
3 miles north-northwest of Illgen City, MN (Lake County) 3.3″
3 miles east of Orr, MN (St. Louis County) 3.0″
14 miles west of Isabella, MN (Lake County) 3.0″
Silver Bay, MN (Lake County) 2.5″
Embarrass, MN (St. Louis County) 2.0″
Lutsen, MN (Cook County) 1.5″
5 miles northwest of Duluth, MN (St. Louis County) 0.10″ A combination of sleet, freezing rain and snow accumulations measured at the National Weather Service.
Precipitation report for Thursday, March 29th, 2012
Source: National Weather Service Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, MN: 0.26″
International Falls, MN: 0.77″
Brainerd, MN: 0.14″
Grand Marais, MN: 0.17″
Hibbing, MN: 0.41″
Hayward, WI: 0.18″
Ashland, WI: 0.11″
3 miles east of Wright, MN: 0.34″
Cass Lake, MN: 1.05″
12 miles north of Grand Rapids, MN: 0.60″
Northome, MN: 1.18″
Walker, MN: 0.60″
Cook, MN: 0.62″
Kabetogama, MN: 0.84″
9 miles north of Bayfield, WI: 0.17″
4 miles west of Clam Lake, WI: 0.17″
Sarona, WI: 0.18″
Two areas of heavier precip Thursday Night/Friday Morning. One was from Northwest thru Northern Minnesota >0.75″ amounts. The other area was associated with the severe thunderstorms that affected parts of Iowa and Northern Missouri Thursday Night. (MRCC)
Weather Tidbits:
-March 29th marked the 3rd time this month with a precipitation total of at least 0.25″ at Duluth, Minnesota. March 3rd: 0.33″. March 12th: 0.28″. March 29th: 0.26″
-Thru March 29th the average monthly temperature at Duluth, Minnesota: 39.3 degrees which is 13.7 degrees above normal. There is a chance that March 2012 will go down as the warmest on record. The previous warmest March on record was 38.8 degrees.
Today’s Weather Summary for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Low pressure of 1006mb has moved into Northeast Indiana late This Afternoon. This was the system that brought the snow, sleet and rain to our area last night. Behind this storm there remains plenty of low level moisture and with light winds, low clouds and areas of fog developed. Highs Today were in the 30s and 40s with calm or easterly winds around 10 mph.
Today’s Upper Level Analysis:
A west to east 500mb flow continued across the Upper Midwest with several disturbances embedded within this flow continuing to move toward the east. The 2 most notable disturbances were the one moving across the Ohio Valley and the other one was over Southeastern South Dakota per water vapor satellite imagery. 850mb temperatures as of 3pm ranged from 0 to -2C in Northeast Minnesota to +4C in Central Minnesota to +10C in far Southwest Minnesota.
Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Tonight (March 30th)
There might be some clearing during the night, but overall skies are expected to remain mostly cloudy. Areas of fog will also continue with lows mainly in the 30s to around 40 degrees. East or south winds are expected at around 10 mph.
Saturday and Saturday Night (March 31st)
Low pressure will pass by to our north while a cold front heads southeast through the area. A few rain showers could develop near this cold front through Saturday Evening. Partly to mostly cloudy skies are forecast this period with highs on Saturday in the 50s and 60s although far Northeast Minnesota might hold in the 40s, while the Brainerd Lakes area could get into the low 70s. Lows Saturday Night will mainly be in the 40s. South, southwest or north winds are expected this period at 5 to 15 mph with gusts to 20 mph.
Extended Forecast, Sunday-Tuesday (April 1st-3rd)
A warm front will be centered well to our south on Sunday. This boundary will get shunted toward the east by a cold front and area of low pressure which will move out of the Northern Plains and through the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes early next week. Should be dry on Sunday, then the chance for showers will increase a bit from Sunday Night into early Tuesday. The best combination of instability and moisture should be south of our area, thus little if any thunderstorm activity is expected at this time. Highs on Sunday will be in the 40s near Lake Superior with 50s and 60s elsewhere, although 70s are possible from the Brainerd Lakes to Pine City, and east to the Hayward Lakes. Highs on Monday will be in the 40s and 50s with 60s possible around the Hayward Lakes. Highs on Tuesday will be in the 40s and 50s. Lows Sunday Night will be in the 40s and 50s. Lows Monday Night will be in the 30s and 40s.
Note: High temperatures could reach the 80s in portions of Western-Southwest Minnesota on Saturday and possibly even warmer on Sunday with 90 degrees a possibility!
1st map is the forecasted high temperatures for Saturday Afternoon per 4km NAM. Note the 80s in Southwest Minnesota!
2nd map is the forecasted high temperatures for Sunday Afternoon per 4km NAM. Note the 90s in parts of Southwest Minnesota!
Long Range Forecast (April 4th-10th)
The middle of next week looks dry and seasonable at this time. The next Western U.S. trough and area of low pressure might be affecting the Upper Midwest sometime between April 6th-8th, this system could bring some rain to the region during the Eastern holiday weekend. It appears that the easterly winds will become locked in once again with high pressure off to our northeast, might get a 1-2 day break from the easterlies early-middle part of next week, but they should be back once again by next Thursday.
HPC’s 500mb forecast for next Friday, April 6th, 2012. The dip (trough) moving into the Northwest U.S. could be moving into our area next weekend, bringing with it some inclement weather for the Easter bunny.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH/SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Considerable cloudiness. Areas of fog. Low 32 to 36. Wind east around 10 mph.
.Saturday… Patchy fog possible early. Becoming partly sunny. Afternoon showers possible. Milder. High 58 to 63 but it may be cooler closer to Lake Superior. Wind southwest at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20%.
.Saturday Night… Showers possible early. Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 40 to 45. Wind north to northeast at 5 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20%.
.Sunday… Partly sunny. High 53 to 58 but in the 40s near Lake Superior.
.Sunday Night… Mostly cloudy. Showers possible. Low 38 to 43. Chance of rain 30%.
.Monday… Mostly cloudy. Showers possible. High 50 to 55 but cooler near Lake Superior. Chance of rain 50%.
.Monday Night… Mostly cloudy. Showers possible. Low 35 to 40. Chance of rain 40%.
.Tuesday… Partly sunny. High 50 to 55.
Normal temperatures for Today
High: 40
Low: 23
Sunrise Saturday: 6:49 AM CDT
Sunset Saturday: 7:37 PM CDT
Tim
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